Process for extracting vanadium from vanadium ores.



. nadium from No Drawing.

' nace nearly 100% HAROLD BOERICKE, OF

NEWMIRE, coronano.

PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING VANADIUH FROM VANADIUM GEES.

- Application filed March 27,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 28, 1914. 1912. Serial mlaseaoe.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, HAROLD BOERIGKE, a citizen of the United Statesfresiding' at Newmirs, in the county of San Miguel and State of Colorado, have invented a certain new and useful Process for Extracting Va- Vanadium Ores, of which the following is a specification.

The process relates to the treatment of vanadium ores. Heretofore in the treatment of such ores it has been the common practice to submit a mixture of the ore and sodium chlorid to an oxidizing roast in a reverberatory or other furnace, in which the heat of the furnace causesthe breaking up of the sodium chlorid into chlorin and sodium, the former passing out of the furnace while the latter is left free to combine with the vanadium in the ore to produce sodium vanadate. As a comparatively high heat is essential to secure the breaking up of the sodium chlorid, the cost of fuel incident to the process is a very considerable item, and as the mixture must be subjected to a long heat the furnace capacity is necessarily limited. My invention has for its principal object the provision of a process wherein the objections to the old process as heretofore cited are avoided and wherein the vanadium values of the ore may be extracted at a lower heat and in a shorter time than is required by the old process. y

In the preferred practice of my improved. process I add to the usual mixture of ore and sodium chlorid metallic sulfids for the roduction of sulfates or a direct addition of sulfates in any percentage which the case may require; for instance by the addition of 1% of iron sulfate to the ordinary mixture of ore and sodium chlorid I have effect ed a saving of fuel of 50% and at the same time have increased theicapacity of the furwithout seriously affecting the yield of soluble vanadates. Where the vanadium in the ores is of such a nature as to require oxidation my invention is of especial benefit, owing to the free liberation of chlorin which is a strong oxidizing agent.

In the case or iron sulfate the reaction would be shown by the following formula- The chlorin effects the oxidation of the ore should be used in place of is V 0 instead of V 0 at a comparatively low temperature and the excess of sodium 0 lorid used combines v readily to form a soluble vanadate. The fer- In case a sulfid the sulfate above mentioned the sulfid would be oxidized to the sulfate in the heat of the furnace after ric oxid remains insoluble.

'which the above reaction would take place,

so that a metallic sulfate is utilized in the reduction even when the reduction starts witha sulfid, and it will be understood that my invention is generic and includes the use of both the sulfate and the sulfid.

My experience also indicates thatthe reactions with the substances above stated may follow a somewhat different course than that indicated, although taking place atthe same pime. This reaction I believe to be as folows:

The sodium meta vanadate (NaVOQ thus formed is non-volatile and soluble.

Where the vanadium ore to be reduced the reaction is as follows It will be noted that the same vanadate (NaVO is produced as in thepreceding reaction.

The ortho vanadate (Na VO also nonvolatile and soluble, may be formed in treating the two vanadium oxids, ,0 and V 0 with iron sulfate (FeSOQ, the reactionsbeing as follows:

thus described my invention and what I claim as new and Letters Patent,-is the fol- Having illustrated its use, desire to secure'by lowing: v

1. The process of extracting vanadium from vanadium ores, which consists in mixing the said ore with sodium chlorid and a metallic compound of sulfur and applying .heat, but without volatilizing the vanadium and permitting the sodium to unite with the vanadium forming a soluble sodium vanadate. a v a 2. The process of extracting vanadium from vanadium ores,

which consists in mixing the said ore with a, haloid salt and an iron compound of sulfur and applying heat.

3. The process of extracting vanadium from vanadiumiores, which consists in mixing the said ore with a haloid saltand iron sulfate and applying heat.

4. The process of extracting vanadium from vanadium ores, which consists in mix ing the said ore with sodium chlorid and heating sufliciently in the presence of a, metalhc compound 'of sulfur to free the sodium and chlorin, without volatilizing the vanadium, and permitting the sodium to unite with the vanadium forming a soluble sodium vanadate. 5

. n testimony whereof I have hereunto y name in the presence of the two I Slifled s-u scribed witnesses.

HAROLD BOERIGKE.- Witnesses SYDNEY Mxnmwi R. S. DAVIS. 

